SPRING, Skye Gyngell’s restaurant was one of the most anticipated restaurant openings in London for several years.

“Tipping is not a town in China — please be generous for good service”

Transition year students are the focus of the ‘Future is Food’ drive to promote Irish artisan foods, launched by the Taste Council of Ireland and Bord Bia.

HERE in Ballymaloe we are so excited about the first ever Ballymaloe Literary Festival of Food and Wine taking place in Ballymaloe House; at the Grain store and Ballymaloe Cookery School.

Barack Obama’s pastry chef and the co-founder of the world’s best restaurant are among a galaxy of global culinary giants on the menu for a major national festival next month.

WE’VE been in Bordeaux for a couple of days celebrating Jean Pierre Moullé’s significant birthday.

CHEZ PANISSE is a legendary restaurant and café in Berkeley, California.

IT’S JUST possible that whoopie pies may be the next cupcake — ‘homey’ to look at, totally scrumptious to eat but mercifully less luscious icing than a cupcake.

This is based on a delicious plum tart from Chez Panisse in California.

NOW that I am a grandmother with seven precious grandchildren, I am more aware of the importance of passing on some life skills to the next generation. They all live within 15 minutes of us so we are fortunate to see them almost every day.

WE HAD a lovely invitation to spend a few days in the Bordeaux area with some French friends whose family have been making wine in the Pessac-Leognan, St Emilion, Margaux and Entre-deux-mers area since 1880.

Jean Pierre is head chef at Chez Panisse in Berkley, California, for six months of the year. During the summer months he lives in Bordeaux and teaches cooking classes. This was one of the many delicious things I ate when I spent a few days with him and his family.

Jean Pierre is head chef at Chez Panisse in Berkley, California, for six months of the year. During the summer months he lives in Bordeaux and teaches cooking classes.

CLAIRE PTAK makes wonderful cakes. It all started when she was little girl in Point Reyes, California – every time her Irish grandmother visited they baked cakes together all day long.

I’VE JUST heard exciting news that gives me hope for the world. Michelle Obama plans to cultivate an organic vegetable garden on the south lawn of the White House.

CLAIRE PTAK had planned to move to London with her English boyfriend Damian when she was offered a job as pastry chef at the famous Chez Panisse in Berkeley in California.